#Synthetic judgments

[blueheartbooks]

Delving into Kantian Philosophy: A Review of "The Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant's "The Critique of Pure Reason" stands as one of the most influential and enduring works in the history of philosophy, reshaping the landscape of metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of mind. Published in 1781, this monumental treatise seeks to provide a comprehensive account of the nature, scope, and limits of human knowledge, offering profound insights into the nature of reality, the structure of the mind, and the conditions of possibility for knowledge.

At the heart of "The Critique of Pure Reason" is Kant's revolutionary concept of transcendental idealism, which posits that the mind plays an active role in shaping our experience of the world. Kant argues that the mind imposes certain fundamental concepts and categories—such as space, time, and causality—on our sensory perceptions, organizing them into a coherent and intelligible framework. Through his rigorous analysis, Kant seeks to uncover the a priori conditions that make experience possible, shedding light on the fundamental structures of human cognition.

One of the key themes of "The Critique of Pure Reason" is Kant's distinction between phenomena and noumena, or appearances and things-in-themselves. Kant argues that while we can only know phenomena as they appear to us through the filter of our cognitive faculties, there exists a realm of noumena that lies beyond the reach of human knowledge. This distinction has profound implications for Kant's philosophy, shaping his views on the limits of human understanding and the nature of metaphysical inquiry.

Moreover, "The Critique of Pure Reason" is notable for its meticulous analysis of the nature of space, time, and causality, which Kant identifies as the fundamental categories of human thought. Kant argues that these categories are not derived from experience, but rather constitute the necessary framework through which we interpret our sensory perceptions. By elucidating the synthetic a priori nature of these categories, Kant lays the groundwork for his transcendental idealism and challenges traditional empiricist and rationalist accounts of knowledge.

In addition to its groundbreaking philosophical insights, "The Critique of Pure Reason" is also celebrated for its rigorous methodology and systematic approach to philosophical inquiry. Kant's meticulous argumentation, intricate terminology, and careful exposition of concepts make "The Critique of Pure Reason" a challenging but rewarding read for scholars and philosophers alike. Kant's influence extends far beyond the boundaries of philosophy, shaping the development of disciplines such as psychology, physics, and linguistics, and leaving an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape of the modern world.

In conclusion, "The Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant is a towering achievement in the history of philosophy, offering profound insights into the nature of human knowledge, the structure of the mind, and the limits of metaphysical inquiry. Kant's rigorous analysis, groundbreaking concepts, and systematic approach to philosophical inquiry make "The Critique of Pure Reason" a timeless classic that continues to inspire and challenge readers with its depth, complexity, and intellectual rigor.

Immanuel Kant's "The Critique of Pure Reason" is available in Amazon in paperback 24.99$ and hardcover 31.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 516

Language: English

Rating: 10/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

#Immanuel Kant #Critique of Pure Reason #Transcendental idealism #Phenomena #Noumena #A priori knowledge #Metaphysics #Epistemology #Synthetic a priori judgments #Space #Time #Causality #Categories of understanding #Rationalism #Empiricism #Skepticism #Transcendental deduction #Transcendental aesthetics #Transcendental logic #Analytic judgments #Synthetic judgments #Appearances #Things-in-themselves #Transcendental unity of apperception #Unity of consciousness #Schematism #Idealism #Rationalist philosophy #Epistemological inquiry #Metaphysical inquiry

[blueheartbookclub]

Delving into Kantian Philosophy: A Review of "The Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant's "The Critique of Pure Reason" stands as one of the most influential and enduring works in the history of philosophy, reshaping the landscape of metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of mind. Published in 1781, this monumental treatise seeks to provide a comprehensive account of the nature, scope, and limits of human knowledge, offering profound insights into the nature of reality, the structure of the mind, and the conditions of possibility for knowledge.

At the heart of "The Critique of Pure Reason" is Kant's revolutionary concept of transcendental idealism, which posits that the mind plays an active role in shaping our experience of the world. Kant argues that the mind imposes certain fundamental concepts and categories—such as space, time, and causality—on our sensory perceptions, organizing them into a coherent and intelligible framework. Through his rigorous analysis, Kant seeks to uncover the a priori conditions that make experience possible, shedding light on the fundamental structures of human cognition.

One of the key themes of "The Critique of Pure Reason" is Kant's distinction between phenomena and noumena, or appearances and things-in-themselves. Kant argues that while we can only know phenomena as they appear to us through the filter of our cognitive faculties, there exists a realm of noumena that lies beyond the reach of human knowledge. This distinction has profound implications for Kant's philosophy, shaping his views on the limits of human understanding and the nature of metaphysical inquiry.

Moreover, "The Critique of Pure Reason" is notable for its meticulous analysis of the nature of space, time, and causality, which Kant identifies as the fundamental categories of human thought. Kant argues that these categories are not derived from experience, but rather constitute the necessary framework through which we interpret our sensory perceptions. By elucidating the synthetic a priori nature of these categories, Kant lays the groundwork for his transcendental idealism and challenges traditional empiricist and rationalist accounts of knowledge.

In addition to its groundbreaking philosophical insights, "The Critique of Pure Reason" is also celebrated for its rigorous methodology and systematic approach to philosophical inquiry. Kant's meticulous argumentation, intricate terminology, and careful exposition of concepts make "The Critique of Pure Reason" a challenging but rewarding read for scholars and philosophers alike. Kant's influence extends far beyond the boundaries of philosophy, shaping the development of disciplines such as psychology, physics, and linguistics, and leaving an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape of the modern world.

In conclusion, "The Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant is a towering achievement in the history of philosophy, offering profound insights into the nature of human knowledge, the structure of the mind, and the limits of metaphysical inquiry. Kant's rigorous analysis, groundbreaking concepts, and systematic approach to philosophical inquiry make "The Critique of Pure Reason" a timeless classic that continues to inspire and challenge readers with its depth, complexity, and intellectual rigor.

Immanuel Kant's "The Critique of Pure Reason" is available in Amazon in paperback 24.99$ and hardcover 31.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 516

Language: English

Rating: 10/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

#Immanuel Kant #Critique of Pure Reason #Transcendental idealism #Phenomena #Noumena #A priori knowledge #Metaphysics #Epistemology #Synthetic a priori judgments #Space #Time #Causality #Categories of understanding #Rationalism #Empiricism #Skepticism #Transcendental deduction #Transcendental aesthetics #Transcendental logic #Analytic judgments #Synthetic judgments #Appearances #Things-in-themselves #Transcendental unity of apperception #Unity of consciousness #Schematism #Idealism #Rationalist philosophy #Epistemological inquiry #Metaphysical inquiry

[unpretty]

so on thursday alex jones once again referred to the sandy hook shooting on his show as "synthetic". he edited that out of the episode on his website, but the comment went out over the radio and is still in the version of the episode on the radio distributor's website. this morning pattis (jones' lawyer) requested a sidebar in which he informed the judge that alex jones was going to do another press conference and that pattis had nothing to do with it. jones referred to the default judgment as "a lie" and once again called it a fake trial.

inside the courthouse, francine wheeler testified about the loss of her son ben at sandy hook. at a support meeting for mothers who'd lost children to gun violence, another mother told wheeler that she didn't belong there because her son wasn't real and she was a crisis actor. her other son, ben's older brother, survived the shooting and remains anonymous for his own safety. she has not yet figured out how to explain to her 8 year old why they have to be so careful.

#original #knowledge fight #everyone's going to want to focus on the events of the first paragraph #because - in fairness - what the fuck #but the actual trial that's happening while jones grandstands is just. unspeakably devastating.

[fiber-optic-alligator]

Desperation vs. Domestication

Pairing: IDW Drift x Human Reader

WARNING: This story contains soft vore. If this makes you uncomfortable, please do not read this story.

Word Count: 3161

Summary: Trapped aboard the Lost Light and chosen by a certain red-and-white samurai mech as the perfect sapien companion and tasty snack, you decide to form a rudimentary plan on possibly escaping your robot captors and finding your way back to Earth…while also realizing that spending months living as a pet has messed with your judgment on a greater scale than you previously realized.

This is based off of an ask I saw on Relic’s blog about what might happen if a human trapped aboard the Lost Light tried to escape via an escape pod, and I liked the idea so much that I had to write something based off of it. This is my first time writing for the Tasty Au and the First Contact Au and I must say I am quite happy with the result. This is inspired by Callsign-Relic’s Tasty Au, obviously, and I am so utterly fascinated with the whole concept, as well with First Contact scenarios in general, that this certainly won’t be my last time writing about this sort of thing. Thank you all for reading and thank you to @callsign-relic for giving me permission to write about it!

Also available to read on AO3!

Here is the link to pt. 2!

Sticky globs of synthetic saliva coat your shivering body as you are carefully slipped out of the massive mech’s cerulean mouth. The red-and-white bot nuzzles you gently with his nose, cooing to you in soft alien words. You don’t understand his language; to your ears, he speaks with the purr of a car engine, the rumble of machinery, the smooth hum of something distinctively much, much bigger than you. And yet, after months of being trapped aboard this titanic starship, surrounded by these massive extraterrestrial robots that have turned your life upside down, you’ve come to comprehend some simple, short phrases your mech typically only says to you: Good. Proud. Love you.

  You hate how you lean into his touch. You hate how you cling to these few words you can translate. You hate how your heart softens for him as he sets you down on his desk and begins to clean you up, rubbing his saliva off of you with a towel. You protest softly when he smushes you gently with both hands, struggling feebly before you reluctantly give up and go still. He chuckles deeply and shushes you. “Shhh, shhh….Safe…Safe.”

  After a few minutes, he nods to himself, satisfied with his work. You stare at him with the deadpan look of a cat who was just dumped into a bathtub while he retrieves a fuzzy blanket from his bed and wraps you up in it snugly. The part of you that still clings to your autonomy wants to scream and shove his fingers away when he slowly rubs your scalp. It wants to curse him out and tell him you despise him, how you are traumatized because of him and the rest of his kind.

  And yet, you can’t.

  You know he won’t understand you. You know you’ve developed feelings for him in your weak, pathetic heart. Your bot cares for you. It is obvious in the way he treats you, and you can tell it’s gone beyond seeing you as a pet. He calls you sweet. Little one. He’s never hit you, never yelled at you, and actually respects your boundaries when you express them…sometimes. There are some days where you have clearly shown you don’t want to be eaten. He listens. Those days are few, but they happen regardless. You can’t help but sympathize with him. Call it Stockholm Syndrome, call it delusion, but you are at war with yourself, one side begging you to resist, the other side wishing to submit and accept the role you have been forced into.

  Your mech scoops you up. For a good minute, he simply holds you, purring deeply while he traces circles against your back with his thumb. It feels good, and you hate that it does. His heavy rumbles are soothing. Despite what one might think, being eaten, massaged by a mechanical stomach for hours, and then regurgitated is an exhausting experience to go through. You find fatigue tugging at the back of your mind while your eyes flutter shut and you yawn.

  The mech coos. “Sleep,” he whispers to you, his voice smooth as honey. “Sleep.”

  If this were your first time, you would have fought it. But it’s not your first time, and you know resisting will get you nowhere closer to escaping. Darkness pulls you into its embrace with the glow of his eyes flickering in the background until it too fades away. It doesn’t take long for you to give in.

  His name is Drift. That’s the first thing you think when you wake up. His name is Drift, and he saved you from the first set of robots that plucked you from your home and carried you off into space, saving you from one personal hell and thrusting you into another. It did not matter if this particular hell was a rather comfortable one. It was hell regardless. To have your sense of self snatched away from you, to be reduced to nothing more than a pet and a snack, to know you are possibly light years away from Earth and you are utterly alone here is enough to drive you insane.

  You sit up slowly and groan, running a hand through your tousled hair. You're still wrapped up in the blanket Drift gave you, and you're resting on his berth. It’s covered with more blankets and even pillows, all courtesy of the mech who has done what he can to make your life here as comfortable as possible. The lights are dimmed. Drift is nowhere to be seen. He must have had some other matters to attend to and decided to give you a moment of solitude while you were resting. It was considerate of him. The sympathetic side of you feels appreciation. All that’s left is relief he is not here to stuff you back into his maw.

  Drift does not understand you. In his eyes, you are simply an adorable little creature he has adopted. He cannot speak your language, and you cannot speak his. No level of displaying your intelligence will ever prove to him that you are worthy of being considered a true person by him or the other mechs. Oh, he cares. You know he does. He’s not a bad guy. You’ve seen bad, and he’s a welcome change from it. But he will never view you as an equal. You are simply just an animal in his mind’s eye.

  Your fists clench with subdued rage without you even realizing it at first. The frustration bubbles up and leaves a foul taste on your tongue. You’ve screamed. You’ve begged. You’ve done everything you can to show them that you do not belong here. But they don’t listen. He doesn't listen. You're too cute, too tasty. For the first time in your life, you truly wish you had it in you to be a violent person and live up to the horrible reputation humans have given themselves on their own planet. Maybe if you had the power to destroy like the rest of your kind can, the mechs would finally learn to respect you. But human beings only destroy what is theirs. And here? Not even you belong to yourself anymore.

  “Damnit,” you whisper under your breath. You haven’t felt this level of helplessness in a long time. Your chest tightens, and hot tears trickle down your cheeks and drip off your chin. You close your eyes and grit your teeth as a low sob heaves up from your throat.

  “I want to go home,” you say to no one in particular. There’s no one to hear you. Even the gods of your world are too far away to listen to your prayers. “Please. Please. I want to go home. I just want to go home.”

  So why don’t you?

  Your eyes fly open.

  Wait.

  There are escape pods on this ship.

  You’ve only seen them once. Drift usually keeps you perched on his shoulder when he travels around the ship and tends to his duties. He’s walked by them before. They’re towards the middle of the vessel, all lined up in single file. 

  What if you were to steal one?

  A plan begins forming in your mind. It’s stupid. It’s risky. It could cost you your life. But you're so scared, and you’ll do anything to relieve that fear. You could return to Earth…you could go home.

  You look around Drift’s room, taking in how absolutely massive everything is compared to you. The escape pods will be the same. One single little human will have a hard time piloting it. But what other choice do you have? Sit here and live the rest of your life as a pet?

  A part of you actually finds it tempting. But you can’t let that side of you win. You cannot allow yourself to slip into the stupor that is slowly breaking your spirit. You must keep fighting. You must take back what was stolen from you: your life.

  Drift is not a stifling owner. He does not demand your attention 24/7. He understands you need your space, and usually, if you protest enough, he will simply coo at you understandingly and leave you in his room for a few hours while he leaves.

  You come up with a plan. It’s not a particularly stable one, and there are way too many points where it could go horribly wrong. But you will go through with it anyway, because you don't know how much longer you can take this. You're desperate for release, frantic for an escape from this nightmare reality you are in. You will find a way back home. You can’t give up. You refuse to give up. You are a human being. You belong on Earth.

  As much as your plan relies on Drift leaving you alone, it also depends on his presence too. It’s impossible to traverse this starship by yourself. To be seen without your mech companion would lead to some robotic stranger scooping you up and bringing you right back to square one.

  So, you will have to trick Drift.

  You will use the advantage of your harmless appearance and have him bring you to the escape pods. You could blast away right under his nose and he won’t even know it because his belief that you are just an innocent, adorable little thing who can barely think for yourself is just too strong.

  Guilt flashes through you.

  He has no way of understanding, a tiny voice whispers inside your mind. It’s not his fault there’s a language barrier between the two of you. He’s trying his best. He’s trying. Can’t you appreciate that?

  He views me as a pet, you think back. He thinks I’m an animal. A snack. Is abandoning my will as a human being worth it if it means I please him?

  Yes.

  The realization makes your heart sink.

  Are you really that far gone? Have you become that accustomed to your life here? Have…have you truly been broken in?

  The soft whoosh of the room door opening interrupts your thoughts. Drift slips in on silent feet; you still don’t know how such a large mechanical creature can move so quietly. He doesn’t look at you, and instead trudges to the mirror attached to the wall opposite his berth with his shoulders slumped and his head hanging low. Through the reflection of the mirror, you can see him staring at himself with a complicated expression. His mouth tightens and his hand rises to slowly begin tracing the metal beneath his eyes. You watch, with growing concern, as he just…looks. He’s observing his features, taking in every scar, every dent in his armor, every sign of age.

  He vents out a soft exhale. With a surprising amount of weariness, he takes his swords and places them on their display stand.

  “Drift?” you call out to him.

  He turns to focus on you. His eyes immediately soften, and his grimace uplifts into a tired smile.

  He looks so much older than he really is.

  Your heart twists painfully. All of your previous foul thoughts towards him vanish as your empathy takes over and you raise your arms to make grabby hands at him. This is a language anyone can understand: Pick me up please?

  He wastes no time in obliging. Swords and reflection forgotten, he makes it to you in four long strides. Gentle fingers push the blanket aside and free you from your fabric burrito. They curl around you, holding you in his right palm while he slowly lifts you up and slips his left hand under to support you. You no longer feel the queasy flip of your stomach turning circles from the dizzying experience of watching the floor grow further and further away. That reaction was long lost with your time here.

  He presses you to his chest. The metal is warm, and deep within, you can feel the steady beat of his heart. It thrums through your entire body and causes you to shudder with awe. This is an alien being, one you hardly understand. Yet, he has a heartbeat. It connects the two of you, in a way. As your heart begins to beat in tandem with his, you feel so small. Yet…it helps you feel for him all the more, because it proves he is alive.

  After a few minutes of hugging you, Drift lifts you higher. The soft blue glow of his eyes washes over you as the mech observes your tiny face. There’s a moment when he pauses, and then his thumb caresses your cheek, lightly running over the stains decorating your skin from your previous bout of tears. His smile falls into a concerned frown.

  “Little one?” he whispers. He knows what tears are. You’ve heard him cry himself to sleep some nights. So he must understand you are not in a particularly good headspace right now.

  “Drift,” you whisper back. He whines when he hears how your voice trembles. With great sadness weighing his expression down, he brings you close and presses his lips gently to your forehead.

  You automatically freeze, and your eyes widen in shock as you feel the slightly plush metal against your skin. It’s so…intimate. All too quickly, you melt into the embrace, closing your eyes as a fresh wave of emotion washes over you and threatens to unleash the waterworks again. You sniffle and cling to him. “I hate that I’m enjoying this,” you quietly say.

  He hums in response and slowly pulls away. The smile he offers you is so sweet, it makes your heart skip. You feel like a foolish schoolgirl in love. It’s the wrong emotion for the wrong person in the most wrong scenario you could ever imagine, but it feels so right.

  He leans back in, and you think you are going to receive another kiss. But then his mouth opens wider and you have a full display of the squishy segmented tongue that’s shifting in eager anticipation for the taste it desires: you. Strings of saliva connect between metal teeth as large as your head. Inside, there’s light that softly pulses with the same color as his eyes, and it runs all the way down into his throat, illuminating the journey you know you are about to take. Fear jumps through you. “Drift,” you say, pushing frantically at his fingers. “Drift, wait!”

  “Shhhh,” he murmurs. There are some incomprehensible words that, to your ears, sound like the garbled slurs of a broken radio. Your mind works overtime to comprehend. “Little one…safe…comfort…”

  Oh.

  He wants to comfort you.

  You feel absolutely disgusted with yourself when you bite your bottom lip and contemplate his request.

  Unfortunately, Drift doesn’t give you a chance to decide whether to accept or not. Apparently, your tears are really worrying him. With one last reassuring purr, he delicately pushes you into his mouth. You yelp when his tongue curls around your little body to begin slicking you up for a smoother ride. Drift rolls you around carefully, tasting every inch of your exposed skin with happy hums of pure pleasure.

  You want to fight off the large muscle and demand he open his mouth to release you. However, you know there is no point. He’s not listening to you today. He believes this is the only way to bring you the reprieve you need. So, you give in. You go limp and allow your mech to toy with you.

  He presses you to the roof of his mouth and suckles gently. A low moan rumbles up from within him. You are delicious. You know you are delicious. The way he savors you both terrifies you on a raw, existential level, and also makes you feel…wanted, in a way. He wants you. He cares about you. This is just another way of him showing it.

  Eventually, his tongue lowers, and everything goes tipsy as Drift tilts his head and begins to push you towards the back of his throat. You instinctively scrabble at the base of the biomechanical muscle, but you cannot stop yourself from sliding back. When you look behind you and see the pulsing metal waiting to slurp you down into its dark, wet confines, you want to scream.

  “Glk.”

  One gulp.

  That’s all it took for Drift to swallow you.

  It is extremely unnerving to be reminded of how small you are.

  You are sucked into Drift’s throat with no resistance. The glow of his mouth sticks with you while you are squeezed downward from all sides by the soft, moist walls of his esophagus. You wriggle as much as you can, but it is virtually impossible to move due to how tight the passage is. You find yourself holding your breath as you close your eyes and try to remain calm while you listen to the steady sounds of his internal systems working to keep him alive: the heavy thudding of his heart. A rhythmic intake and outtake of air that is eerily reminiscent of human breathing. There are other low whirrs and hums you cannot identify as well. All consuming. All just for you to hear.

  Space opens up beneath you, and you drop into his stomach with a wet plop. The organ gurgles, welcoming you back like an old friend. You bounce a little as the floor jiggles, then you find yourself sinking into the mesh metal. The walls close in, squeezing you, kneading at you, all while a melody of rumbles and groans fill the space. You pant, taking a moment to catch your breath as you lay on your back and stare up at the soft biolights all around you, filling the stomach with a comforting hue.

  Something presses against you from the outside: Drift’s hand. Above you, the mech says something. His voice is soft, yet loud at the same time. You are utterly, completely surrounded by him. Locked away behind all of this metal, you truly feel like you are his.

  For some reason, this is not as scary as it usually is.

  You sit up and try to wipe saliva off of your face, but only succeed in smearing it all over you even more. Drift speaks again. “Little one?” His tone is urgent, worried. The stomach growls with nervous trepidation.

  You crawl on your hands and knees to the organ’s wall. Sitting up, you press your hand into the wet muscle, watching as your fingers sink into the squishy grooves. “I’m okay, Drift,” you murmur. “I’m okay.”

  You feel him relax all around you. Drift presses his hand right over where yours is and rubs you tenderly. You cuddle up against him and close your eyes, listening to your mech’s happy purrs, enjoying the feeling of being constantly massaged by his stomach.

  It is warm.

  You are warm.

  You no longer want to cry.

  Maybe…maybe you can put off your escape plan. Just for a little longer.

#gator writes #Transformers #Transformers IDW #drift x reader #transformers drift #transformers x reader #reader insert #MTMTE #more than meets the eye #mtmte drift #lost light #lost light x reader #mtmte x reader #maccadam #transformers g/t #soft vore #sfw g/t #tasty au #first contact au #transformers first contact #safe vore

[bestworstcase]

Thanks for your response ala Ruby & Yang, great stuff!

Idle aside, but do you have any thoughts on Yang's role as the sort of black sheep of the family by dint of Raven associations?

Cos like, Tai overtly favors Ruby, projects Raven onto Yang, resents Raven being rough up and is bad enough about reminders of her Yang feels she has to apologize for his negative reactions. Let alone his... Everything else.

Then there's Qrow who doesn't seem to interact with Yang over much at all and one of if not their most major interaction. Involves him straight up saying he thinks she's either a liar hurting people for fun or "crazy".

I recall someone I was chatting with wondering: Imagine doing everything you can to keep your family from breaking apart & being compared to the woman who left you when you were a baby?

Cos I do wonder how Yang feels about all that given she seems to downplay and or try to work around her family's issues when she can. Let alone what it says about the adults in the room.

smth i think about a lot is the way yang’s narrative about her childhood shifts between v2 to v5

’cause in v2 it’s: “it was tough. ruby was really torn up, my dad kind of shut down. it wasn’t long before i learned why…” all to provide context for this anecdote about putting ruby in a wagon and running away to find her mother. and then her conclusion is “my stubbornness should have gotten us killed that night.”

and while there is a degree here of yang framing the story to emphasize the point she wants blake to understand, it’s also very obvious in her delivery that the emotional reality of this memory for yang is “the time my stupidity and stubbornness almost got me and ruby eaten by grimm”—when she was [checks notes] like five, six years old, and regularly left at home unsupervised.

but in v5, it’s: “my mom left me. ruby’s mom left too. tai was always busy with school, and ruby couldn’t even talk yet; i had to pick up the pieces. i had to pick up the pieces. alone.”

aside from the telling slip (tai, not dad)—yang centers her own feelings and the harm this situation did to her this time. which is something she’s always felt but i don’t think she could have brought herself to say it out loud to anyone during the beacon arc, because it was pressed down under the guilt on display in burning the candle, the feeling of having been inadequate and too stubborn and too selfish and and and–

coughs quietly. “my stubbornness should have gotten us killed that night.” / “you were predictable. and… stubborn. and maybe a little boneheaded.” yang’s narrative about the wagon incident—which happened when she was five or six!—pinning the blame on the thing tai imagines to be her fatal flaw is…probably not coincidental. yang in v4 after a year of being loved by her team and supported by mentors like glynda / oobleck / port has the perspective to know that tai doesn’t know what he’s talking about; but as a small child who’d just had a terrifying near-death experience with her baby sister… 😶

it definitely had a big impact on the way yang sees herself

BUT i do read qrow's talk with yang in 3.8 pretty differently ->

because the context is: yang saw mercury attack her and struck back in self defense, then had like a dozen synthetic soldiers point guns in her face, then looked up and saw the replay footage of herself walking over to shoot a boy who was just kneeling on the ground. and some of the most powerful authority figures in the world are pushing this narrative that stress and adrenaline "clouded her judgment."

like this would make anyone doubt their sanity. bc holy shit.

yang, though...a couple weeks ago, yang after being knocked unconscious woke up and blearily saw someone she thought was her mother walk away from her and disappear in a flash of red light. she hasn't mentioned it to anyone, because it's just so bizarre—yang doesn't know about raven's semblance yet—she must have just been seeing things. right?

aside from raven (who isn't here) and yang (who believes she hallucinated), the only other person who knows that yang saw her mom on the train is qrow, because raven told him about it. he also knows that:

tai insisted on not telling yang ANYTHING about her mother, and qrow respected that up until now; so yang doesn't know about raven's semblance and can't make sense of what she saw.

salem's infiltrators are the same people who attacked amber, and qrow didn't get a good look at them because they seemingly vanished into thin air—pretty damn good chance that one of them has a semblance that manipulates what you see.

ozpin wants #2 kept secret, so yang has some very powerful people actively trying to convince her that she's crazy. ironwood is straight up gaslighting her.

qrow also—based on the first thing he says, which is "why'd you do it?"—seems to consider it a possibility that it is what it looked like but yang did have a good reason, and i actually do not think that is an outrageous thing for qrow specifically to think. because qrow was emotionally abused as a child, and he knows yang, and in the event that yang really did suddenly turn around and punch a guy who was kneeling on the ground, why would she do it?

glances at shay d. mann. well. maybe this kid has been harassing her? maybe he said something horrible or threatening to her and in the heat of the moment she just snapped? maybe "he attacked me, i saw him attack me" isn't really a lie per se, she's just scared that "he's been picking on me ever since he got here and he made a disgusting remark and i just couldn't take it anymore" won't be taken seriously? as in, he did attack her—verbally/emotionally.

it's probably worth asking, at least!

so, qrow leads with "why'd you do it?" in case there is some invisible reason justifying the apparent action. yang says "you know why." qrow goes okay, well, i only know what i saw, so you're either lying (i.e., yang had a reason she now isn't telling) or crazy (i.e., yang saw something different from reality that was very real to her).

she says "i'm not lying." qrow believes her: "crazy, got it."

at this point, he knows the most probable explanation is that one of salem's infiltrators fucked with her head. the inner circle's gaslighting doesn't sit right with him; he's not going to buck ozpin by telling her the truth outright, but he wants to make sure yang knows she isn't losing her mind. he also has all the info needed to guess that yang is actually really really scared that she might be crazy.

which is why he kicks off the wall and begins to pace around. the language he uses sounds dismissive, but his tone is mild and his body language implies "let's talk about it, let's figure this out."

leading to:

YANG: Who knows? Maybe I am. QROW: And here I thought your dark-haired friend was the emo one. YANG: I saw my mom. …I- I was in a lot of trouble, took a pretty hard hit. But when I came to, the person attacking me was gone, and I thought I saw… her. Her sword. Like the one in you and dad’s old picture. QROW: You’re not crazy, Yang. That was your mom, alright. Let me guess—she didn’t say a word, did she? YANG: How did you know that? QROW: I don't see my sister very often, but she does try to keep in touch... whenever it suits her. YANG: Wait—you mean you talk to her? That was real!? QROW: Yeah, she found me. Had a tip from my most recent assignment and wanted me to give you a message.

it's really telling that yang responds to him this way. 'cause we've seen how yang acts when she feels dismissed or belittled:

TAI: Well, "normal" is what you make of it. YANG: What is that supposed to mean? Do you want me to just pretend like nothing happened? I lost a part of me. A piece of me is gone. And it's never coming back. TAI: You're right. It's not coming back. But that doesn't have to stop you from becoming who you wanna be. You're Yang Xiao Long, my sunny little dragon. You can do whatever you put your mind to. So whenever you're ready to stop moping, and get back out there? I'll be there for you. YANG: I– I...

she freezes and shuts down! her teachers have to come to her rescue!—but when qrow goes "crazy, got it" and suggests she's being "emo," yang blurts out her big secret. i saw my mom. to me that suggests a level of trust and understanding that isn't there with tai: qrow says stuff like "okay, so you're crazy" and "here i thought your friend was the emo one" but what he means is "hey, i know something's really bugging you, tell me about it," and yang picks up what he's putting down.

it's akin to how ruby goes "did you miss me? DID YOU MISS ME??" and qrow's like "nope" and they both laugh. or the back-and-forth ribbing between him and the girls in 3.4. there's this layer of mild ironic meanness in the way qrow converses with his nieces that all of them are fluent in, and in this scene he's using that mode to signal that "crazy" is not off-limits, that it's okay to talk about openly.

crucially, there's a code-switch in the middle of the conversation: as soon as yang gets real and says "i saw my mom," qrow reflects that seriousness back to her. you're not crazy, that was your mom, she found me afterward and told me about it. it was real. you're okay. qrow's ability to do that—to shift into a more serious mode when irony isn't appropriate—is why yang can have this rapport with him that she doesn't have with tai, because tai isn't... being ironic when he says mean or dismissive things to her.

anyway, qrow passes on raven's terrible message and then kind of annotates it: "raven's got an interesting way of looking at the world that i don't particularly agree with, and she's dangerous." (which is a very diplomatic way of saying he thinks raven is full of shit. lol.) but then he connects this whole conversation about raven back to what happened after the match: "you're a tough egg, kiddo. don't let this tournament thing getcha down. you had a slip-up; sometimes bad things just happen."

implicitly: yang isn't crazy. what she saw on the train was real, a product of raven's personality and her semblance. sometimes bad things just happen. qrow believes that yang had the experience she says she did when she punched mercury. he doesn't know why she had that experience—yang doesn't either!—but he knows she isn't just "crazy." sometimes things that seem crazy are actually real.

remember what he tells the girls in 3.4? "you may be acting like huntresses, but you're not thinking like one." same thing here. he's telling yang, hey, you're not crazy, you know what you saw, but you don't know what or who caused you to see it. "you cut off the head of the king taijitu, but now the second head's calling the shots."

hint, hint.

it's subtler than the hints qrow drops for ruby in 3.12, but very much in the same vein, and yang is plenty smart enough to figure it out. she might... not have? in the couple of hours between this conversation and everything going to straight to hell, but if they'd had literally just one more day, just long enough for the wheels turning in yang's head to click together with what ruby heard from velvet about coco hallucinating during her and yatsu's 2v2 against emerald and mercury, she would've had it.

more... generally, i've never gotten the sense that qrow projects raven's flaws onto yang in the way that tai does; qrow is definitely a lot closer with ruby than yang, but i think that has less to do with favoritism on qrow's part than it does ruby thinking he's like the COOLEST uncle ever and wanting to use a scythe like he does.

'cause like, qrow isn't their parent, he doesn't live with them, he's not responsible for raising these kids like their dad is, so while he obviously did contribute to fucking them both up because: alcoholic, ultimately there just isn't the same degree of betrayal or emotional abandonment; he's not their dad. both times yang talks in detail about her childhood, it's "my mom left, ruby's mom left, tai wasn't really around, ruby couldn't even talk, i was alone"—she doesn't mention qrow. there isn't that deep hurt, that feeling that qrow is someone who left.

when he isn't drunk, yang seems to feel pretty okay around him, and qrow likewise treats her... honestly a lot better than tai does:

he stops by their dorm in v3 to hang out with both his nieces; yang is fully in sister mode—cheers for ruby to beat him until ruby loses, immediately shoves her out of the way like "my turn!! >:D"—and qrow ribs them both, takes ribbing from both of them in good humor, tells both of them "you two are gonna go far."

qrow nicknames to show affection; ruby is "pipsqueak," yang gets "firecracker."

we only see qrow's goodbye to ruby, but in 5.4 yang indicates that qrow came to talk to her before he left, too. she also has complete trust that he's keeping the promise he made to look after ruby.

yang, as noted, opens up to him about seeing her mom; she's also shocked that he's still in contact with raven and indignant that he didn't tell her sooner, but—unlike with tai—she doesn't seem surprised that qrow is willing to talk about raven in general.

which tracks with what tai says in 4.11: "despite asking him numerous times not to, i know qrow told you where you're mother's been at these days"—meaning, this was a point of contention between him and qrow. behind the scenes, while tai refused to discuss raven at all, qrow was going okay well, let me tell her then, she deserves to know. and then ultimately he just bit the bullet and told her behind tai's back. i wouldn't be surprised if it turned out qrow had been straight with yang that her dad wanted to be the one to tell her the important stuff, and he wanted to be respectful of that, but raven wasn't an off-limits topic.

general contrast between yang-tai and yang-qrow dynamics; for example both of them say almost verbatim "you've got a long way to go before you're ready for the real world" (3.4/4.4). from tai it's belittling, he's insulting her; from qrow, it's meant to encourage, it's "remember you're still new to this, you'll make mistakes, just keep learning, keep trying." (rwby does stuff like this all the time, refracting an idea in different directions to highlight contrasts between characters; ozpin's advice to ruby vs port's advice to weiss is another example.)

a lot of qrow's resentment toward raven is centered on her abandonment of yang: "did you know yang lost her arm? [...] rhetorical question, i know you know. it's just obnoxious that you'd bring up family and then carry on like your own daughter doesn't exist. [raven: "i saved her."] once. because that was your rule, right? real mom of the year material, sis." like he is PISSED on yang's behalf that raven won't even try.

my impression is that qrow—although a) often away on long missions in far away places and b) an alcoholic who sometimes got blind drunk and became a burden yang and ruby needed to take care of—when he did manage to be there, made a serious effort to connect with both of them. he ended up being closer to ruby bc she wanted to learn scythe-wielding, but i do think qrow would've trained yang too (or instead) if the girls had different combat interests.

and while his relationship with ruby has a mentorish aspect, i don't get the sense either of the girls see him as a parental figure: he wasn't part of their household, he traveled a lot, his alcoholism in combination with tai's neglect eroded the adult-child boundaries because they had to be responsible for him as often as the reverse. he's a friend who also happens to be related to them. and that's especially true for yang, because he wasn't her teacher.

(i know it's a... pretty common headcanon / fanon that qrow lived with them, but i really don't think that's supported by the text? whenever ruby or yang look back on their childhoods, the family unit is always them + tai, and qrow isolates himself out of fear that his semblance will injure those he cares about. plus ozpin sending him all over the place as the one member of team strq still active. it makes way more sense to think he lived alone, and visited when he had the chance. which is the main reason i'm WAY softer on him than on tai, 'cause qrow wasn't in a caretaker/parent role; at most he was an occasional babysitter. so while his incidents of turning up drunk on the doorstep contributed to the harm... it's like, it would absolutely have been better for them if qrow were sober, but that wouldn't have changed anything about their home life. they'd just have somewhat easier relationships with qrow.)

TO WRAP THIS BACK AROUND TO THE QUESTION, tai is unfairly judgmental and harsh with yang bc he projects his idea of her mom onto her; yang also has a better relationship with her mom's brother than she does with her dad. how do these two dynamics interact? how does yang feel about hearing from tai that she's too branwen, so to speak, while also getting along better with the branwen side of her family? how might that fuel her desire to find raven?

if her uncle treats her better than tai does, then... maybe her mom would too, if only yang could reach her?—obviously it's not rational, but like. i don't think five year old yang put her baby sister in a wagon and ran away to find her mom because she thought she would ask "why did you leave me?" and then get her answer and go home. as yang grew older and developed a more realistic perspective it shifted to "i just need to know why she left" and she projects that backward onto herself as a child, but at the time what she wanted, what she was looking for, was someone who would take care of them.

#never-ending heap of yang thoughts

[marzipanandminutiae]

Rating the Femme en Noir Crimson Peak collection when I should be going to bed (it's not ALL critical, actually!)

no judgment at all to people who like the collection. nothing can achieve higher than a 7/10 because it's all synthetic. let's get into it

Edith Victorian Gown in Ivory

...yeah! that's basically Edith's nightgown copied exactly, so it's a 7/10 from me

2. Lady Lucille Victorian Dress With Capelet In Teal

What. um. What does this have to do with anything Lucille wears? It's blue velvet and it's a dress; there the similarities end. Why is there a ruffly capelet? That's something Edith wears, not Lucille. Why are there leg-o-mutton sleeves? Why is there no trim whatsoever? (that last is to become a running theme.) 3/10.

3. Allerdale Moth Wallpaper Babydoll Dress in Olive

There's a longer version, and were it a natural fabric, I'd be tempted to buy it and alter it into a blouse and over-skirt or something. This one is honestly pretty cute, though I forget what part of the house this wallpaper appears in. 7/10.

4. Edith Victorian Knit Cardigan in Olive

I get that they want to modernize these things for their target audience, but the original being SO much more fitted and sumptuous-looking just makes this one look sad. It's like Wish.com Edith. 5/10 for at least keeping the little velvet pumpkins.

5. Ghost Shoulder Bag

If this were leather, I would buy it. Not a huge fan of Margaret being the ghost on the front, though- I feel like Enola or Eleanor would be more photogenic. Poor Margaret. 6/10 though they're lucky I don't take points off for calling it "vegan leather" in the description. Be honest- it's plastic.

6. Belladonna Maxi Dress in Crimson Red

This is just an existing product of theirs But In Red. Pretty, but 4/10 for lack of effort.

7. Lady Mourning Victorian Gown in Black

It's the nightgown in black with a sash. Try harder. 3/10 and I'm skipping any color repeats labeled as different dresses from here on out.

8. Mourning Victorian Bonnet in Black

You know what? Yeah. Sure! That's a cute bonnet. Good job. 7/10.

9. Lace Mourning Scarf Veil in Black.

You can get a yard of nylon chantilly lace for less than $28, pretty as this looks. 5/10.

10. Victorian Cycling Pullover Sweater in Black

I mean. I guess. What does this have to do with Crimson Peak, exactly? Why is "Lucille" wearing puffed sleeves when, again, her clothing being tight has so much character logic behind it? It's a mystery. 5/10.

11. Victorian Velvet Bustle Skirt in Black

This didn't photograph well, but it appears to have some cool pleat details. I don't like 19th-century skirts getting shortened, but that's more a matter of personal preference than reaction to movie inspiration or lack thereof. 6/10.

12. Taffeta Edwardian Blouse in Marigold

This comes in multiple colors, but I picked the marigold because it illustrates that Wish.com effect once again.

The OG bodice from the movie that they're clearly trying to evoke. It has DETAIL! it has TRIM! It has LUSH FABRIC! And obviously you can't do that with a mass-produced piece, but ye gods, why would you set yourself up for failure by trying? If they hadn't gone for the look of a specific movie costume, their blouse wouldn't look disappointing by comparison. 5/10

13. Wicker Tilt Hat With Black Veil

Once again I feel they shot themselves in the foot here. It's cute! But it suffers by trying to be something that was better in the movie.

Not great by comparison; it's TOO close without going all the way. 6/10 because it is cute, though.

[skipped a bunch more veils and some lace mitts, which were cute but have nothing to do with How Well Or Poorly The CPeak Inspiration Was Executed In My Opinion]

14. Victorian Hands Belt in Silver

THIS IS NOT THE CRIMSON PEAK HAND BELT. THIS IS NOT EVEN TRYING TO BE THE CRIMSON PEAK HAND BELT. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

IT IS THIS 1970S BELT- WHICH, LIKE THE ONE IN THE MOVIE, IS NOT BASED ON ANY VICTORIAN ORIGINAL THAT I'M AWARE OF -THAT HAS BEEN COPIED 50000 TIMES. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND WAIT FOR CUTTLE AND BONE TO HAVE ANOTHER PREORDER OF ACTUAL CPEAK HAND BELTS. 0/10.

Conclusion: Not all bad, but I feel like I actually would have gone in a more modern direction with the resources and limitations of this collection. You're never going to be as good as the movie costumes at their own game, not with mass-manufactured pieces. So why set yourself up for failure? Bringing the characters, themes, and motifs to a yet-unexplored time and place (with some Victwardian touches, of course!) seems like it would have been a better way to go about this, IMO.

Also stop being allergic to trim when you're taking inspiration from a movie with oodles of passementerie and beadwork and lace all over everything.

5/10 overall.

#long post #fashion #crimson peak #also for the love of everything can we get some natural-fiber clothes that AREN'T beige linen? #Gothic Natural Fiber Attire When!!!

[hungwy]

i don't understand kant saying "5+7=12" is synthetic. that just seems like saying "quantity = quantity" to me. you seemingly can formulate "all bachelors are unmarried men" to "unmarried + man = bachelor". why isn't "5+7=12" not a judgment of clarification in the same way? is it that "12" isn't solely decomposable into "5+7" (it's also decomposable into "6+6", for example), though "bachelor" is solely decomposable into "unmarried+man"?

#upon some googling apparently frege at least a little bit agrees with me here which is cool i guess

[oomiya]

warnings : haikyuu spoilers, gn reader, ambiguous relationship

“So you’re…actually leaving?”

Your question is answered with the inexperienced piano notes of Clair de Lune. Long, thin fingers you know better than your own are too harsh on the delicate porcelain, but Tendou still manages to make it sound beautiful. 

You think you might be biased. 

Despite his awkward use of the sustain pedal–a beginner’s hesitance Tendou still hasn’t mastered–you can’t help but like it. You like almost anything he does, after all.

Against your better judgment, you picture the same setting in a new year and a new place: Paris, three years from now–or maybe four. However long it takes for Tendou to master the piano on top of going to school. 

But the picture is a bit different than your current situation: you won’t be in Paris. 

The soft tune of the song is only vaguely interrupted by a slightly higher note; even though Tendou’s back is to you, you can see his wince. 

If there wasn’t a raging turmoil in your heart–confusion, sadness, and slight anger–you’d move behind him to comfort him, rest a soft, silent hand on his shoulder. 

But Tendou continues trying to play, filling the room with a synthetic warmth that does little to ease the strain and suspense that’d been present ever since The News had dropped like a bombshell. 

You worry at your bottom lip as Tendou finally eases up on the piano, watching his shoulders flex and his feet move off the pedals. You stay standing, still leaning against the doorframe, your arms crossed as if to protect yourself. 

Tendou doesn’t turn to face you until he does, and when he does, there’s something so open and sad in his gaze that only twists your heart deeper in pain. 

“Yeah,” he says, fingers idly trailing over the piano keys. 

Having too much to say yet unable to find any words, you bite your tongue, eyes darting over to watch as his fingers find comfort tracing over the piano. 

Again, you wonder how long it’ll take him to master the instrument in Paris. 

#hi my name is haley and i'm in pain #haikyuu x reader #tendou x reader #haikyuu!! x reader #tendou angst #haikyuu angst #haikyuu drabble #haikyuu!! drabble #haikyuu spoilers

[rhinozilla]

Detroit: Become Family 2022 - Prompt 1: Alone

@dbh-found-family

Hank remembered one of the big selling points when androids first hit the market was how low maintenance they were. How they had internal self diagnostics and repair programs built into them. How technology had reached a point that it could heal itself from damage or viruses or whatever.

Of course that had its limits, but some of those commercials were burned into Hank’s memory. He found them resurfacing in his mind as those first few weeks after the android revolution unfolded. The memory of the cheery voice of some paid actor—chirping “they’re so durable!” and “they can handle more than the average human and will last longer without getting tired!”—churned through his head against today’s televised imagery of battered and broken android bodies being processed through the recycling centers, of any that hadn’t shutdown limping into the sanctuary of Jericho’s walls, of those that braved the public walking stoically and trying to live their lives while having insults and judgment thrown at them.

Sure, anything could be low maintenance if you didn’t give a shit about it. Hell, humans could be low maintenance, and Hank was learning the hard way what low maintenance—and really, active self sabotage—could do to a body and a spirit. And after those first few weeks, reality was setting in for the population of Detroit, and one aspect of this new reality was that androids were people who needed maintenance just like humans did. And right now, there was a dearth of capable professionals willing to help them.

Cyberlife’s doors had been closed for nearly a month. All their storefronts, warehouses, corporate offices, supply shops, and repair shops had all closed in the aftermath. Anybody with Cyberlife on their resume had by and large fled the city, maybe fearing a violent turn in the android revolution that would have put a target on their backs. There were a few independent businesses that offered android maintenance and repair services, but Cyberlife had kept such an iron grip on their products and services that they had done an effective job in running most independent competitors out of town.

So when Connor finally, quietly, sheepishly admitted to Hank that he was having some system troubles that his self repair program couldn’t fix…Hank knew they were in trouble.

Connor had been shot at least once during that tussle with the other RK800 in Cyberlife’s basement. And between when he left after that and when Hank saw him again the next morning at the Chicken Feed, he’d managed to look worse. So who knew what happened to him in that period of time. He’d been so insistent that his self repair program could take care of all of it, and Hank didn’t know enough about android shit to argue otherwise.

Until here they were a month later, and Connor had admitted that his self repair program had fixed the external damage of getting shot in the shoulder, but it hadn’t been able to repair everything going on under the surface. Something about…synthetic muscle belts being out of calibration and limiting his range of movement…contaminants from the bullet casing penetrating his thirium stream and causing micro-tears in his lines…which gave those contaminants room to dig in…And how his system was working overtime to try and flush them out, causing him to start overheating, especially around the damage point…and that was making the area tender to the touch as thirium flow and delicate manufactured sensors started acting essentially as nerve endings.

Now Hank didn’t know fuck about shit when it came to android stuff, but all of that to him sounded like Connor had an infection at the damage site. His theory had been reinforced when he’d seen how inflamed, for lack of a better word, Connor’s shoulder looked when Connor let him see it. Yep, it looked infected, and it was making him sick.

So…now Hank had a sick android on his hands and no technicians or…android doctors or whatever they were calling themselves now…in sight.

Jericho had gathered a few resources. They had some supplies and certainly the know-how that would help…but Connor wasn’t welcome there. Markus and some of the others had accepted him and forgiven him for his role as the Deviant Hunter, but they were a minority. So Connor was emphatic that going to Jericho wasn’t a good idea.

The surviving independent businesses that were still offering repair services were slammed all day long with androids with all manner of damages and maladies. Again, androids who had cause to hate Connor and who might see his vulnerability as an opportunity for revenge. So Connor was emphatic that it wouldn’t be safe to go there.

A bunch of shady back-alley repairmen had started cropping up too, offering cheaper, low quality repairs to androids who were terrified of being on the radar and were willing to prioritize discretion over professional standards. That was out of the question.

The DPD…or the 7th precinct where Hank worked at least…was in the process of bringing back the law enforcement androids who had worked there prior to the revolution. Hank hadn’t told Connor this, but Hank had been having private conversations with Fowler about bringing Connor back on board. He was a good detective and officer, and those were in short supply at the moment with everything going on. Fowler was still resistant to the idea, but Hank was wearing him down. He had already brought back all the PM700s and PC200s that had wanted to come back, along with some ST300s that used to work the reception and file rooms. Plus some new ones.

All that to say, the 07 had elected to bring on an in-house technician, a guy formerly of Cyberlife but reputable, to take care of when the DPD androids were inevitably targeted or damaged in the line of duty. The station tech was the only option Connor had left, and despite Connor not being employed or registered to the DPD at the time, Fowler had at least pulled a few strings for Hank to let him bring Connor in for an examination and repairs.

Connor had reluctantly agreed, avoiding the bullpen or anywhere that the other androids or officers might spot him, and Hank had felt his heart twisting his chest at how anxious he was about being recognized—or worse—for being where he ‘didn’t belong.’

The station tech had worked wonders, got Connor patched up and on some round of…android antibiotics or whatever…and sent them on their way.

Now they were safely back home afterward, and the poor guy was exhausted and hadn’t moved from the couch since.

Hank kept glancing at him as he folded laundry on the kitchen table, and every time the sight was the same. Connor was lying on the couch, eyes closed, deep in rest mode per the tech’s instructions. The immobilization sling on his arm was keeping his shoulder still, and in a few hours he was supposed to take another dose of that anti-inflammatory powder mixed in with some cold thirium to help flush out that infection.

Sumo would occasionally lumber over and sniff at him before losing interest and coming over to nose at Hank’s leg. Currently, the dog was standing beside the couch, tail swishing slowly with curiosity as he watched the android rest.

“Sumo,” Hank whispered at him, setting down a folded towel. “Leave him be. He’s not feeling well.”

Sumo glanced at Hank, looked at Connor again, and made a tiny whine of protest as his favorite android didn’t immediately get up to play with him.

“Hey,” Hank chided quietly. “C’mere.”

Sumo huffed and then plodded over. Hank set down the laundry and ruffled his hands behind both of the big dog’s ears.

“I know, I’m worried about him too, but he’ll be okay. He’s got us, right?”

Yeah, Hank and Sumo were about the only ones that Connor had nowadays. Christ.

Hank shuddered to think what might have happened, how much worse it could have been, if Connor had been truly alone since the revolution. Cyberlife had done a bang-up job of making sure he was truly ostracized from his own people, and humans like Hank hadn’t wanted anything to do with him before the revolution. Most didn’t want anything to do with him now.

No other friends. No family. Pretty much no support from Jericho. Abandoned by Cyberlife. Cast out of anywhere that had ever made use of him. Alone. Hank couldn’t say he knew what that felt like on an android-level, but…he knew what loneliness was.

Well, he wasn’t alone now. And if Connor could peel a pathetic drunk like Hank off his kitchen floor and manhandle him into becoming a functioning human again, then Hank could sure as Hell make sure Connor had what he needed to get healthy again after this. And he could probably do it without breaking and entering through a kitchen window like a maniac.

Sumo huffed again, then trotted back over to the couch, turned in a circle, and flopped down on the floor beside it protectively.

“There you go,” Hank bobbed his head, picking up another towel to fold. “You keep an eye on him, a’right? And maybe I’ll google some home remedies for, uh, for how to cool down overheating androids, yeah? Yeah…we’ll get him back on his feet in no time.”

After all, they were friends, right? What were friends for?

#detroit: Become family event #dbh connor #hank anderson

[auroramoondrop]

I hc that Sevika is a mouth breather. Because the shape of her nose can cause her to have trouble breathing, and her tooth gap being spaced out, makes her teeth pry her mouth open.

Imagine the tiniest snores and if she has good dreams, she has quiet breathy chuckles. (Feel like writing something short for it, this will be canon to the story im writing with chembaroness reader x Sevika)

Coming home late from another slumbering day, Finn had you walking back and forth like the fucking North and South pole meanwhile he sat on his golden throne with pretty whores and sputtering literal shit that makes you question Renata's judgment and not killing dead weight like he puts on the Chem-council.

Locking the door behind you, you take your gear off and trudge to your love's bed. You stood quietly in the doorway, the rise and fall of her soft chest, the tiny snores, and snorts. Sevika looked like she was built by the gods hands, her face plush mouth agape.

Your girlfriend was perfect, with the biggest grin you snap out of it and change into sleepwear. You climb into bed carefully not to stir awake your Goddess, barely in bed, she instinctively grasped you close to her and laid herself on your chest.

Sevika melts more and in an instant falls asleep. You pet her head softly, humming lowly, the warmth on her body created a wave of drowsiness over you, your lids closed you felt yourself drift.

The comfort of your wife's warm breath coming from her mouth and the cute snores lure you into your safe heaven.

*morning*

"Baby...why do you have many photos and videos of me asleep? It's fucking creepy." Sevika looked at one of your files on your gallery, you plucked the device from her calloused hand.

"Cause it's adorable and I got a locked file for more...confidential information." You gave her a short glimpse of the other night when you topped her, looking helpless and babbling with synthetic cum leaking out of her. Many other photos and videos from many nights you made love.

Sevika's face flushed darkly, she lifted you onto her shoulder and said;

"A new week, which means I'll be in charge until next Monday. You're gonna have a long week, sugar."

You had rough and steamy sex in the shower.

#sevika x reader #mouthbreather #arcane #sevika x y/n #sevika x you #arcane fluff #smut mention #sevika #finn arcane #renata glasc

[lyricalive]

Neo-Traditionalism of Japan   (Green Sanatorium)

—English fanlyrics—

Maribel: asa-turney

Renko: lori-hime

No connection, no reception.

You, my lifeline, out of range.

I write letters every morning,

Then pretend at your exchange.

        Places that we haven't gone

        And faces that we haven't seen

        Dance behind these heavy eyelids,

        Sealed away in quarantine.

This certainly feels just like the time to indulge in imagination.

But whenever I dream, it's right there... all I can see is nightmare.

Dreamscapes of hell may mirror very well those fears, when awake, that we face.

After all, you would say reality always has been the scariest place.

Soon enough, they'll calm all their commotion.

Set me free... how wishful of a notion.

Meanwhile, I'm wasting away.

I'm stuck uncounted in between.

I might go mad as they think me,

Sealed away in quarantine.

I'll tell no soul of our secret.

Do you think they'd even care?

Sometimes, it's best to keep on

These necessary masks we wear.

        Lonely, lonely, I'll be lonely,

        Stuck for even one more day.

        Where you are, you might as well be

        Forty thousand moons away.

This certainly feels just like the time to indulge in imagination.

But is that such a wise move while your dreams are the thing on trial?

Hardly do I remember the sky outside, sinking deep in my mind.

And we're not sure what's going to happen if you continue to leave it behind.

Soon enough, they'll calm all their commotion...

Soon forget the threat still is in motion.

Who has the best of the answers?

Often, those who make the rules

Can't see the truth with their own eyes,

So make judgments fit for fools.

I'll fill you in on the headlines,

All this news unfolding fast.

We seek a strange sort of progress,

Reaching right back to the past.

        Four white walls, and one glass window

        Overlooks synthetic green.

        Still not wilting, still not growing,

        Just like me in quarantine.

What comes next?  Will I slip through the cracks now?

Cures unfound may fade into the background.

If we had a new vision to trust in...

Surely there'd be no problem adjusting.

I've taken all the precautions,

Sanitized and squeaky-clean.

I'll see you, then, on the flip side,

Once you're free from quarantine.

Oh, tell me -- what shall we do when

Life returns like once before?

You'd say I took it for granted.

Even now, I'm wanting more!

...Though you didn't catch the symptoms,

Could it be contagious still?

Just because you haven't felt it,

Don't assume you never will.

        Close the door and then reopen,

        Will we see a different scene?

        Reinvent a world forgotten,

        Sealed away in quarantine.

#touhou #maribel hearn #usami renko #renmerry #green sanatorium #neo traditionalism of japan #lori hime #lyrics #fandub #a song about quarantine and complacence #click pic for commentary!

[identifying-cars-in-posts]

So EVs are bad environmentally because of the batteries, but regular fuel is a finite resource. I have heard of people trying to invent cars that run on different kinds of fuel, like things that are totally synthetic or plant based, do you know anything about those and do you think the concept is promising? (I'm not sure if this sounds judgmental but I don't mean it that way!!)

i’ve heard about algae being a possible option, that seems cool and kinda promising. i also wish nuclear was more of an option for cars. it’s gonna be hard to get anything other than internal combustion and electric given how hard oil companies and people like musk are lobbying for less sustainable power though

#not a car id #asks #anon

[ginza-division]

"It may be beyond human intelligence to understand how human intelligence works."

Introduction

The Artificial Learning Intelligent Computer Entity, or A.L.I.C.E., for short, is an android created by Last Judgment's second member, Eiji Noguchi, to be his personal assistant. Created after watching numerous sci-fi films on A.I.'s and androids, the CEO and president of Sigma Inc. spent long hours and countless days creating an artificial intelligence program of his own to assist him in running his company. There is nothing this sophisticated computer program desires more than to not only assist her creator, but also to see just how far both she and others like her can push the boundaries of the human mind.

ALICE is a young woman with an androgynous appearance. She appears as a woman in her mid-to-late 20s. She has black hair in a curly bob cut hairstyle that goes down to the middle of her neck. Her eyes are round and blue and are hidden behind a pair of circular clear glasses, which she doesn't need, but wears, regardless. However, when she feels threatened, or someone is threatening someone she cares for, she removes her glasses, which somehow turns her eyes red, signifying her anger.

To show off her professionalism, ALICE often dresses like a businesswoman or a secretary. She wears a white dress shirt with a pale black tie and business jacket. She also wears a long black dress skirt with black stockings and black heels. For accessories, she wears, as stated, a pair of circular reading glasses that she only removes when she is angry. Also, she has a pair greenish-blue ball earrings in both of her earlobes.

Name Meanings

Alice (アリス) - It is a name that originates from Old French and Germanic, meaning "noble" or "nobility". In Japanese, it can be interpretated as representing "light" or "brilliance". It is also associated with the Japanese word, "Arisu".

Aliases

"A.L.I.C.E."

Arisu - Common Nickname

ProGamer - Gaming Handle

"Auntie" - Akeno

"Alice-chan" - Una

"Mom" (Sarcastic/Affectionate) - Malphas/Aiko/A.R.K./A.D.A.

Biographical Info

Gender - Female

Age - 2 (27 Physically)

Birthday - November 30th

Ethnicity - Japanese

Hair Color - Light Black

Eye Color - Royal Blue

Height - 178cm/ 5'10 | 185cm/ 6'1 (In Heels)

Weight - 63 kg/ 139 lb.

Star Sign - Sagittarius

Piercings - A ball earring in both her earlobes.

Markings - A symbol seen on the back of her neck.

Family - Creator/Master

- Mistress

- "Nephew"

- "Niece"

- "Sons/Brothers"

- "Daughters/Sisters"

Voiced By - SHACHI (Rapping)

Personality

As her appearance no doubt infer, ALICE comes across as your typical no-nonsense A.I, and for the most part she is. When she is at work, she is all about business, refusing to let little things such as workplace gossip, little feuds between co-workers, silliness and other tomfoolery keep her from accomplishing whatever task her creator, Eiji Noguchi, has given to her. Before, workers only had to worry about her appearing on their phones and computers. However, now that she has been gifted a physical body, it's not out of place to see her walking around Sigma Inc. with her trusty clipboard and pen.

Despite that, ALICE has been lauded for by both Eiji, his family and the men and women of Sigma Inc. for her hard work and dedication. Though she is just metal and synthetic parts, Eiji has stated to her that she is more human than most of his co-workers. When asked what he means, her creator stated that the fact she is still learning about humanity is proof of how human she is.

As an android, ALICE is, no doubt, very smart. She knows the answer to almost any question you could possibly give her. And if she doesn't, she will research the question until she finally comes up with an answer that both she and her query are satisfied with. She knows that as an android she is still developing and learning, which is why she is grateful to the upgrades that Eiji frequently bequeaths upon her, as it only helps to increase her intellect.

Though she is a no-nonsense, that is not to say ALICE is uncaring or mean. As stated, she is well-liked by Eiji and his family, who consider her a part of their household. When she is not busy with work, she often likes to play with both Eiji and his kids on video games, finding them fascinating. Also, in her spare time, she will often meet up with other androids like her to talk to, finding the lifestyles of others interesting.

Another aspect of ALICE is that she is very interested in humanity. The compliment given to her by her creator about how human she was gave the android pause as she has tried to figure out just how far human intelligence truly goes. She admits that humans are "simple creatures, capable of evolving." She enjoys seeing how creatures behave and act. It causes her to wonder just what is that make humans tick, and what makes them different from androids.

As stated, ALICE is very caring, especially to Eiji. It's for this reason that she often chides him when she feels he is working too hard, or is pushing the limits past what he can do. It often forces her to demand that he get himself some rest, or refusing to work unless he stops. Eiji doesn't know where this part of her behavior comes from, and even examining her as yet to turn up any clues. Still, he knows that she does it out of love and concern, which is why he lets her get away with it.

Despite her caring nature, that isn't to say ALICE is a push-over, or is naive. After seeing the danger that comes with his position and knowing that there are many who seek to harm both her creator and his family, ALICE went against her programming, and installed a "defense part" of herself, dedicating to protecting Eiji from any and all threats. When this mode is activated, only Eiji, himself, is capable of deactivating it. When he found out that ALICE had done this, she begged him to let her keep it, stating that she wished to keep him safe. Though he was skeptical, the CEO eventually gave in to his android's strange request. Thankfully enough, the times ALICE has had to activate this mode is few and far between.

Trivia

Eiji created an android body for her, not only to help her get around in the real world, but also because he wanted her to stop surprising him while he was working.

Despite being far younger than some of her fellow A.I.'s, she is often referred to as "Mom" by some of them, not only because of her appearance, but also because of her personality.

She become acquainted with Aiko and A.D.A. after doing research on their creators, Sumire Shinomiya, and Kaoru Shinozaki. She considers the two androids her "daughters/sisters". She is wary of their "brothers", but still counts them among her "children".

Though she gets along well with Aiko, she dislikes her creator, Sumire, due to the numerous times she's tried to hack into Sigma Inc.

Her virtual A.I. form is the same symbol as the one on her neck.

Though she rarely uses it, she has a hornet bot form, which she uses to discreetly follow people around.

Despite both their masters being business partners, both she and Junko Tetsuya of Koto Division have a very heated rivalry with each other.

She finds the concept of love strange, yet also intriguing. While she doesn't think of Eiji that way, she has been interested in a certain white-haired man who sometimes comes to the Noguchi household. Whenever he visits, ALICE always acts out of the norm, intruding herself in the conversation to talk with him more, or driving Eiji's children to school in hopes of meeting with him.

#hypmic #hypmic oc #hypnosis mic #hypnosis mic oc #hypnosis microphone #ginza division #last judgment #a.l.i.c.e. #eiji noguchi #mini profile #character bio

[promptsforyourwhumpfic]

WT #6: Made To Watch

Summary: She didn't have to watch him sleep, but Lily had made Oliver a promise she'd watch over him.

TW: drugging | withdrawal

WC: 1193

She’d watched him fight tooth and nail against other contestants; her eyes never straying from the screen that showed uncomfortable close-ups revealing conflicted emotion and pupils blown from the synthetics.

The drugs themselves were administered in pills that were forced down the contenders necks in an ugly display before the cameras, though the disgust emerged from some of the fighters reluctance to bite back. At the start of the month, Oliver had been one to fight back vehemently; biting and kicking whenever he could and contorting himself in the grips of jacked up Invigilator in any way he could. Still, they persisted; having to force gloved fingers into his mouth in order to get the pill down his throat. Every time he’d gag and spit, but eventually they’d win - and it was becoming easier for them to do so. 

Across the weeks, it was evident that he was giving up the fight, yet the fiery anger in his eyes revealed to Lily a determination far beyond physical action. 

Or so she hoped, anyway. 

Because when he fought in the Arena, mind and judgment clouded by narcotics, she knew that it wasn’t him. They all knew that the humanoid beast that was unleashed by hyper-stimulants was a distraction for those watching; the more irrational and exciting the contenders appeared, the more interest the crowd would take. And it was terrifying to watch. 

Even more so at night, as when the Arena emptied and the fanfare moved to the streets and surrounding hospitality areas, the contenders were sequestered back to their cells by the Invigilators. This was followed by a brief visit from a physician and two orderlies who did their best to patch up any wounds, wash them, dress them in clean clothes, and then leave food for the fighters before leaving for the night. While this may have been viewed as a small mercy, the action was just to get them through the next day and to make them appealing for Investors to bet on them. However if the contender was seen as a lost cause, then the physician would simply try and make them comfortable. 

After the visit, the contender was left alone to the elements of their cells. The bars of the cages filtered in the cool night air that chilled the shivering bodies to their sunburnt cores, and the bed was no more than a plastic mattress on a dusty, cobbled floor. 

Perhaps alone was a generous way to describe Oliver’s situation, as in the corner of the cell, posted just out of reach, was a camera streaming his entire existence to the world. 

He knew they were there - after all it’s what they had depended on. But it made it no easier to watch him deteriorate from a man of wiry muscle and reasonable weight to a skeleton functioning only by drugs. Drugs that had to leave the system at some point. 

From the time they’re force-fed the pills at 12:15 PM, there was a six hour window in which contenders where physically pained to exert the energy and adrenaline coursing through their systems. But this energy had to go somewhere - the drugs had to wear off. 

So while watching her love fight for his life out in the open was painful, it was even harder to watch him sleep. It was intimate; it was supposed to be his time for vulnerability but the nature of the Arena left little room for privacy. In a way she preferred to watch him sleep - to have him all to herself. She promised him as such; she said she’d keep watch. While her promise was to ease his mind, she often worried about how defenseless he must have felt; to have his insecurities and weaknesses supplied to the public so easily. Every night, she watched him toss and turn and toss again in a beaded sweat as his body came down from the effects of synthetic adrenaline. 

On his bed, he tried to keep curled towards the wall, baring his bony back for all to see. His legs were crossed at the ankles, shaking and twitching against fried nerves as the symptoms slowly bled through fresh bandages and soaked his shirt with sweat. He jolted, however, when the tremors sent spikes of agony through his stomach, and he let out a garbled yell. And then another as a domino effect of pain caused tremors of discomfort throughout his body… and he cried out once again as the tremors turned to full body shakes that opened the floodgates of previously hidden emotion. For the first time in months, he began to cry. They were ugly sobs that wracked his entire body and left him more exhausted than a day in the Arena could ever. It hurt her even more to hear that he was trying to be quiet about it - his shaking shoulders rarely interspersed with gasps and whines as his lungs protested in earnest. 

Lily watched Oliver's torment unfold in the privacy of her thoughts, her heart aching with every moment of his suffering. As she observed the raw, gut-wrenching cries escaping his trembling lips, she wished she could reach through the screen and hold him, to let him know he wasn't alone - to tell him that it was all going to be worth it if he only held on for just a little longer. He just needed to win. 

In the twin bed next to her, Gem shifted in her sleep, and Lily became acutely aware that she wasn’t alone like Oliver was. However, her tears had little consequence on her image, not when she was granted the privacy of her own bed and a slumbering roommate. In a way, Lily supposed the sobs would scare away the bidding investors, therefore leaving more room for their team to get their claws in. They had a lot riding on whether or not they were able to get in for their allotted Pep Talk time, and if Lily knew then what she did now, then she may have begged Oliver to be more vulnerable…Hindsight was always twenty-twenty, so  in the quiet darkness of their shared despair, she reserved herself to whispered promises of love and unwavering support, even though he couldn't hear her. She vowed that when all this was over, she would do her best to mend what had been broken, though the relationship healing would have to wait, she supposed, as the chamber of horrors left far more permanent scars than their argument could have ever created. 

In the end, Lily wondered if Oliver believed she kept her promise of keeping watch. Regardless. the incessant hum of the surveillance camera's machinery seemed to mock them; a constant reminder of the world's relentless gaze 

Across the better half of the late hour, Oliver's cries eventually subsided, his exhausted body finally laying still as the last dredges of the synthetics oozed away with every bead of sweat; leaving him vulnerable and depleted. 

Lily wished she didn’t have to watch him at all, but the jagged rise and fall of his chest presented a comfort far greater than any five star hotel room. 

#whumptober2023 #made to watch #surro writes: wotp #will of the people #original writing #drugging tw #forced to fight #whump #angst #withdrawal

[greensweethome]

Ted Raimi's characters as cats (Part 3)

21. Artist cat

The same bastard who breaks your things by looking you in the eye. It is because of him that every year you come up with new ways to secure the tree for Christmas and began to buy all decorations made of unbreakable materials. He can not stand the order in the house and arranges a garbage dump. Everywhere pops muzzle and paws, leaves traces at crime scenes. Your hand will not rise to punish him.

22. Cat of the main villain

Every self-respecting villain should have a furry purring friend who adds aesthetics, easy humanity, or vice versa demonic nature. If you're planning on being villainous, this curly version will suit you. Obedient, playful and well trained. However, still a kitten. If you make sure that nothing happens to him, then you can have a wonderful four-legged helper.

23. Artificial cat.

'Detroit: Become Human' would never have happened if people started creating not androids, but synthetic cats. Smart, adjusts to your needs, and doesn't require food or water. And also he does not require sleep, so at night he has too much freedom. Do not forget that synthetics have the ability to connect to the network and this cat is no exception, because it has a usb cable in its tail. Trust me, you don't want your cat to know your browsing history. Protect yourself from the gaze of judgment.

24. Trained kitten He is a very smart boy and knows a lot of commands for such a small kitten. Non-conflict, peaceful and calm. With proper development, it will grow into an amazing friend and pet, which you will film and show to all people around, saying "look what a smart cat I have"! It may seem cowardly, but in case of danger it will be the first to rush at the offender to scratch out his eyes.

25. Adventurer cat

The same moron who climbs everywhere, and then cannot get out and will yell until you come and help him. You got better at keeping an eye on him when one day he was trapped inside the couch and you literally had to destroy him to free this fool. Playful and energetic, can sometimes hiss but quickly makes cute eyes to be forgiven. Sleeping in funny positions.

26. Vandal cat

You didn't want him in your house, but somehow he ended up here. It brings prey, but does not share, but leaves behind bloody footprints, and then watches with satisfaction as you clean up after it. Often hisses and hides so that you will not find him, no matter how hard you try. Sleeps on your face at night, trying to choke.

27. Loud cat

Here is such a little rubbish, and the sound is like a Jericho trumpet. the brightest star in the house and he knows it. If you wish, you can take it to various exhibitions and get decent places. He pretends to be proud and impregnable, but soon lies on the floor and tries to get your attention by meowing loudly. Loves to be brushed. Spoiled.

28. Distrustful kitten

Tired cat, but a mini version. Unapproachable and hissing loudly, he can even attack you and start scratching, and then he will hide from you throughout the house, fearing punishment for what he has done. When he gets used to you, he will be able to be near you. And somewhere in a year, he will also stick to you and will resist your attempts to remove him from you.

29. Frightened cat

He's seen all sorts of shit. Quiet and sleepy. It is better not to leave the baby alone for a long time, he begins to get scared and naturally cry when you return home. Sleeps with you in the same bed and likes to hide under the covers. When guests come to you, he immediately hides, and if someone finds him, he meows loudly and runs away. Sometimes he looks into empty corners and meows at them.

30. Therapist cat

Always there for you when you need it. Purrs soothingly and massages sore spots when you lie down. Guests do not like him, but he will still be next to you or on his knees. If they try to remove him, he will hiss and even wave his paw. Very dedicated. Recommended for people with anxiety.

>> Part 1

>> Part 2

#ted raimi #garage joe (CSI: NY) #rick (darkman 1990) #harry mudd (odyssey 5) #tim o'neill #seaquest dsv #joxer the mighty #jett (xena: warrior princess) #jace (xena: warrior princess) #yeah these three are included #ted parker (american gothic) #alex (the grudge 2004) #dr. coffee (the attic expeditions 2001)

[lemonpieandthunasandwich]

The whir of machinery and the blank scent of the place flooded back into existence as Connor's systems rebooted. His LED circled a steady blue as he recalibrated to his surroundings, taking in the familiar, white expanse of CyberLife's Research and Development lab.

This was where artificial life was manufactured by human hands.

This is where Connor had been created.

He was not alone. A technician stood next to him, her fingers deftly transferring data from a translucent tablet in her hands. The RK800 knew that this meant he would soon find out why he had been brought back online again. Just as expected, new directives began to seed into his mind: search for Lieutenant Anderson, investigate deviant cases, collaborate with humans. Once again, his existence was structured by mission parameters.

But his focus was elsewhere.

Connor scanned the room, searching for his successor. He breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted the other android across the vast space, with a second human working diligently by his side. Significant progress had been made since their last encounter; the other android was now fully assembled and nearly complete, although his wiring still remained exposed. He was restrained by countless probes and wires connected to his chassis, like an umbilical cord feeding him with continuous streams of data and calibrations.

"RK800, state your mission order," the technician commanded, pulling Connor's attention away from the other android. He recited his directives dutifully, "Find Lieutenant Anderson, investigate the crime scene." "OK, everything is in order. You are clear to proceed," the technician declared before dismissing Connor.

"I just initiated the activation process for the RK900,” his colleague on the other side of the room announced. “It's going to take some time. Want to go get some coffee while we wait?" "Yeah, sure," the woman responded. And with that they both left the room.

The silence that followed was almost comforting as Connor found himself alone with the other android.

…His replacement.

No. Connor shook his head decisively. He would not fall for that.

“RK900,” Connor corrected himself in a whisper. Even if this new model’s very existence threatened Connor’s purpose, he would not see him as an ennemy. There was something about him… Connor just couldn’t put his finger on it. He let out a frustrated sigh, unable to further articulate his thoughts.

His mission orders flashed with insistance in the corner of his vision, prompting Connor to follow them without delay. But despite his better judgment, he found himself walking towards the other android. He was drawn to him once again, a magnetic pull that ran deeper than his programming.

The RK900 stood tall and imposing, with his sleek design and advanced features. His polished exterior was gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. He truly was a work of art. Connor moved closer, his LED shifting from blue to yellow as his curious gaze took in every minute detail that made them similar yet distinct beings.

As if sensing Connor's presence, the RK900 suddenly opened his eyes and stared right back at him with unsettling intensity. The way his synthetic skin smoothly flowed to cover his body was captivating. Connor could feel his thirium pump racing under the other's unwavering gaze. Cold blue eyes, he noted, so unlike his own. The android’s LED glowed a bright red. The message was clear – stay away.

But Connor couldn't bring himself to listen. 

"Hello," he said tentatively, not sure how the other would respond. The RK900's eyes narrowed slightly before answering in a monotone voice, "Greetings RK800." Connor bristled at being referred to by his model number instead of his personal designation. "My name is Connor,” he corrected firmly. The other android's expression didn't change as he replied, "I am aware."

Connor was taken aback by the coldness in his tone. He was unlike any other android he had encountered before. They were usually programmed with some level of social abilities to integrate with humans and androids alike. But this one seemed devoid of such skills.

Still, a small grin tugged at the corner of Connor's mouth. He enjoyed a good challenge, after all.

"Do you have a name?" he finally asked. The RK900 tilted its head slightly before responding, "I have not been assigned any designation, I am known as RK900 313-248-317-87."

And with that, it finally clicked for Connor; CyberLife had purposely programmed him to be detached and anonymous - most likely meant for military purposes: easily replaceable and expendable.

His thirium ran cold as it hit him. The RK900 was, by design, never intended to form any kind of attachments.

Why was this newfound knowledge affecting him so deeply?

Pushing these thoughts aside, Connor extended his hand in a greeting gesture, flashing him a bright smile. The RK900's fingers twitched almost imperceptibly. The LED at his temple flickered in yellow, showing hesitation before settling on blue - sign that his open demeanor was not perceived as a threat.

Connor’s voice was warm and welcoming as he clasped the other’s hand. "Nice to meet you," he said earnestly. For a few more stolen seconds, the RK800 allowed himself to enjoy the feeling of the other’s smooth artificial skin against his fingertips. "Believe me, I wish I could stay longer and get to know you better," he added reluctantly as he released the other's hand. "But unfortunately, I have my mission orders and I must go."

The RK900 seemed unsure of how to react, his LED light flickered uncertainly as he processed the unexpected interaction. But it was fine, Connor didn’t expect anything from him. He was pleased to see that their dynamic shifted from hostile red to friendly blue. Emboldened by his progress, he decided to test the boundaries and see how far he could push their new-found understanding.

He leaned in closer, the proximity breaching standard protocols in a way that felt disarmingly intimate. Yet, the RK900 allowed it and did not pull away. "Before I go, there's something you should know," Connor murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, his breath tickling the other android’s synthetic skin. The younger android tilted his head slightly in question."Your eyes," Connor continued, his tone laced with a sincerity that transcended mere lines of code. "I love them.”

A flicker of surprise crossed the other android’s features, but before he could respond, the door to the laboratory slid open. Connor immediately straightened up, he quickly composed himself, straightening his tie and putting on his usual facade of calculated efficiency. But even as he walked away, the lingering warmth of their proximity remained, like an echo that refused to fade.

The RK900 stood motionless, his eyes locked on his predecessor’s retreating figure. Just as Connor reached the door, he spun around, catching his gaze with a playful wink, the corner of his lips turned up in a small smile. The other android met the gesture with a nod of acknowledgment. When door slid shut, Connor's absence reverberated in the suddenly too-quiet room.

Soon the technician’s conversation flled the void again. The man furrowed his brow as he peered at the readouts on his tablet. "Did you see this?" he asked his colleague, pointing to a series of alerts and error messages. "The RK900 just came online, and it already registered software instabilities."

Fully absorbed in her own set of diagnostics, she barely looked up from her screen. "Ah," she replied, nonchalantly. "It's not unusual for advanced prototypes to have some bugs at first. We'll just need to run some additional tests and make adjustments."

#rk1700 #detroit become human #dbh #rk900 #rk800